1. وَما هِيَ إِلّا لَيلَةٌ ثُمَّ يَومُها

    وَحَولُ إِلى حَولٍ وَشَهرٌ إِلى شَهرِ

    And it is only a night, then its day,

    And year upon year, and month upon month:

  2. مَطايا يُقَرِّبنَ الجَديدَ إِلى البِلى

    وَيُدنينَ أَشلاءَ الكَريمِ إِلى القَبرِ

    Mounts that bring the new nearer to decay,

    And draw the noble man's limbs nearer to the grave,

  3. وَيَترُكنَ أَزواجَ الغَيورِ لِغَيرِهِ

    وَيَقسِمنَ ما يَحوي الشَحيحُ مِنَ الوَفرِ

    And leave the jealous man's wives to someone other than him,

    And divide the riches the miser hoards.